WOW air buys Icelandic rival

Iceland’s newest low-cost airline, WOW air, has announced it has acquired its rival, Iceland Express. WOW air has taken control of all Iceland Express flight operations and schedules. The carrier insists that no disruption is expected for passengers booked on Iceland Express flights and that all obligations to them will be fulfilled. WOW air clarifies that the move is not a merger; it is a takeover. WOW has bought the Iceland Express route network, branding and customer base as well as gaining access to all knowledge and expertise accumulated by the company during its years of operation. The united company will fly under the WOW air brand, with the result of creating what WOW calls “a very powerful Icelandic low-fares airline with new destinations and greater frequency”. WOW air says it will immediately begin offering more flights to Iceland from both London and Copenhagen as well as flights this winter from Berlin. Routes will also operate between Iceland and Salzburg over the skiing season and Warsaw and Kaunas over Christmas. TTG Nordic[photo courtesy WOW air]